Preview: Illinois at Miami (Fla.)

[December 02, 2014]  Two teams who made strong impressions in November meet to start a new month when No. 25 Illinois visits No. 15 Miami (Fla.) on Tuesday as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Fighting Illini have averaged 90 points while winning their first six games for the fourth straight season after taking the Las Vegas Invitational over the Thanksgiving holiday. The Hurricanes have burst on the scene with a virtually brand new roster, led by transfer guards Sheldon McClellan and Angel Rodriguez.

Miami has won its opening seven games of the campaign for the first time since 2009-10 while shooting better than 50 percent from the field and playing solid defense. The Hurricanes will be tested against an Illinois team that boasts six players averaging at least nine points and is holding teams to 36.3 percent shooting. "We're a defensive team," Illini leading scorer Rayvonte Rice told reporters after beating Baylor 62-54 in the Las Vegas final. "It all starts with defense."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT ILLINOIS (6-0): Rice, a 6-4 senior guard, is off to an outstanding start averaging 17.8 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 58.3 percent from the field, including 12-of-21 from 3-point range. Sophomore Malcolm Hill is also contributing 14.2 points per game - almost 10 more than last season - and Seton Hall transfer Aaron Cosby is the only other player scoring in double figures (11.5). One of the best statistics for the Illini is that they are forcing 16.7 turnovers per contest while committing 8.8.

ABOUT MIAMI (7-0): Rodriguez, a transfer from Kansas State, is running the show smoothly from the point while averaging 14.9 points, 4.4 assists and draining 18 from 3-point range - tied with Manu Lecomte for the team lead. That has helped create more space for McClellan, and the Texas transfer is producing a team-high 16.7 points per game and shooting 60.3 percent, including 8-of-20 from beyond the 3-point arc. Center Tonye Jekiri also is making a major impact for the Hurricanes while averaging 8.3 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks.

TIP-INS

1. Miami has made at least six 3-pointers in each game, including a season-high 14 against Charlotte on Nov. 25.

2. Illinois senior F-C Nnanna Egwu, who averages 7.8 points and 1.8 blocks, joined Hill and Rice on the Las Vegas Invitational all-tournament team.

3. The Hurricanes beat Illinois 63-59 in the third round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament in their last meeting.

PREDICTION: Miami 74, Illinois 70

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